The North Cascades Loop is a beautiful 440-mile driving iteinary in the [[North Cascades]] of [[Washington]]. It is a very diverse drive, encompassing pristine mountains, grand rivers, picturesque islands, and rolling river valleys.

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The North Cascades Loop is a beautiful 440-mile driving itinerary in the [[North Cascades]] of [[Washington (state)|Washington]]. It is a very diverse drive, encompassing pristine mountains, grand rivers, picturesque islands, and rolling river valleys.

This loop passes through some of the most spectacular and diverse scenery in northwestern Washington around and in the North Cascades Mountains, crossing the mountain range itself twice and also going through bucolic Whidbey Island, beautiful Lake Chelan, and peaceful river valleys. All roads on this route are paved and well-maintained, but the North Cascades Hwy. is closed in winter, making this loop only passable during the summer months. To complete the loop, you also need to take a Washington State Ferry from Mukilteo to Whidbey Island (Clinton).

This loop passes through some of the most spectacular and diverse scenery in northwestern Washington around and in the North Cascades Mountains, crossing the mountain range itself twice and also going through bucolic Whidbey Island, beautiful Lake Chelan, and peaceful river valleys. All roads on this route are paved and well-maintained, but the North Cascades Hwy. is closed in winter, making this loop only passable during the summer months. To complete the loop, you also need to take a Washington State Ferry from Mukilteo to Whidbey Island (Clinton).

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==Get in==

==Get in==

===By air===

===By air===

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The closest major airports to the route are [[Seattle#Get in#By plane|Seattle-Tacoma International Airport]], which is about 45 minutes south of Everett on the loop, and [[Vancouver#Get in#By plane|Vancouver International Airport]] which is about one hour and fifteen minutes from Burlington (in the Skagit Valley, also along the North Cascade Loop). Flying in through [[Wenatchee]]'s airport or [[Bellingham]]'s airport is possible but those cities only have very limited commercial service (mostly through Seattle).

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The closest major airports to the route are [[Seattle#Get in#By plane|Seattle-Tacoma International Airport]], which is about 45 minutes south of [[Everett (Washington)|Everett]] on the loop, and [[Vancouver#Get in#By plane|Vancouver International Airport]] which is about one hour and fifteen minutes from Burlington (in the Skagit Valley, also along the North Cascade Loop). [[Bellingham (Washington)|Bellingham]] airport has service to other cities in the western states, including Hawaii. [[Wenatchee]] has three flights from Seattle-Tacoma, but unless you take this connecting flight during the morning or evening commute it's unlikely to be worth it.

===By car===

===By car===

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===Whidbey and Fidalgo Islands===

===Whidbey and Fidalgo Islands===

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[[File:Anacortesdock.jpg|thumb|250px|Ferry Dock - Anacortes]]

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From Everett, drive west on WA-526 to Mukilteo, and catch the ferry across Possesion sound to Whidbey Island ([[Clinton]]). Whidbey Island is one of the longest islands in the continental USA and is also one of the most scenic. As you drive north on WA-525 and WA-20, the main road running along the spine of the island, you pass through pastoral countryside and cute little towns such as Langley and [[Coupeville]], as well as Fort Ebbey State Park. At the north end of the island is the beautiful Deception Pass State Park, which includes land on both Whidbey and Fidalgo Islands bordering Deception pass which divides those mountains. There are beaches, freshwater lakes and the majestic Deception Pass bridge towers over it all. Take the bridge across to Fidalgo Island. Anacortes, on Fidalgo Island is the ferry terminal to the [[San Juan Islands]] and a wonderful (overnight) side trip can be taken there from Anacortes.

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From Everett, drive west on WA-526 to Mukilteo, and catch the ferry across Possesion sound to Whidbey Island ([[Clinton (Washington)|Clinton]]). Whidbey Island is one of the longest islands in the continental USA and is also one of the most scenic. As you drive north on WA-525 and WA-20, the main road running along the spine of the island, you pass through pastoral countryside and cute little towns such as Langley and [[Coupeville]], as well as Fort Ebbey State Park. At the north end of the island is the beautiful Deception Pass State Park, which includes land on both Whidbey and Fidalgo Islands bordering Deception pass which divides those mountains. There are beaches, freshwater lakes and the majestic Deception Pass bridge towers over it all. Take the bridge across to Fidalgo Island. Anacortes, on Fidalgo Island is the ferry terminal to the [[San Juan Islands]] and a wonderful (overnight) side trip can be taken there from Anacortes.

===The Skagit Valley===

===The Skagit Valley===

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===The North Cascades Highway===

===The North Cascades Highway===

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[[File:MountShuksanPictureLake.JPG|thumb|250px|Mount Shuksan taken from Picture Lake on Mount Baker in the North Cascades]]

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At Concrete, a US Forest Service Spur leads to Baker Lake, just east of Mount Baker. This reservoir is popular for hiking, canoeing and angling. Back on the highway, Rte. 20 passes through Rockport State Park and the Skagit River Bald Eagle Natural Area. Continuing on the highway, stop at the Gorge Creek Falls, and then you reach the crystalline Diablo Lake and Ross Lake, both large resivoirs. After Ross Lake, the beautiful North Cascades Hwy. climbs up to Rainy pass (4855') which is a wonderful viewpoint for the area and where a paved trail leads to Rainy Lake. The road ascends even higher up to Washington Pass (5477'), the highest point on this loop. After Washington Pass, the highway snakes down the slope down to the Methow Valley.

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At Concrete, a US Forest Service Spur leads to Baker Lake, just east of Mount Baker. This reservoir is popular for hiking, canoeing and angling. Back on the highway, Rte. 20 passes through Rockport State Park and the Skagit River Bald Eagle Natural Area. Continuing on the highway, stop at the Gorge Creek Falls, and then you reach the crystalline Diablo Lake and Ross Lake, both large reservoirs. After Ross Lake, the beautiful North Cascades Hwy. climbs up to Rainy pass (4855') which is a wonderful viewpoint for the area and where a paved trail leads to Rainy Lake. The road ascends even higher up to Washington Pass (5477'), the highest point on this loop. After Washington Pass, the highway snakes down the slope down to the Methow Valley.

===The Methow Valley===

===The Methow Valley===

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===The Wenatchee Valley===

===The Wenatchee Valley===

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At Wenatchee, take US 2 west (the Stevens Pass Hwy)along the Wenatchee Valley. At Cashmere, you can stop by the Aplets and Coltets factory where they make delectable fruit treats or visit a pioneer village. A few miles west, the town of [[Leavenworth]] reinvented itself into a charming Bavarian village and is now a top tourist destination. Just outside Leavenworth, there are endless possibilities for outdooor activities especially rafting the Wenatchee River in summer. Continuing west, the drive passes through the beautiful Tumwater canyon to Coles Corner, where a road leads to pristine Lake Wenatchee State Park.

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At Wenatchee, take US 2 west (the Stevens Pass Hwy)along the Wenatchee Valley. At Cashmere, you can stop by the Aplets and Cotlets factory where they make delectable fruit treats or visit a pioneer village. A few miles west, the town of [[Leavenworth (Washington)

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Leavenworth]] reinvented itself into a charming Bavarian village and is now a top tourist destination. Just outside Leavenworth, there are endless possibilities for outdooor activities especially rafting the Wenatchee River in summer. Continuing west, the drive passes through the beautiful Tumwater canyon to Coles Corner, where a road leads to pristine Lake Wenatchee State Park.

===Stevens Pass===

===Stevens Pass===

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===Snohomish/Skykomish Valley===

===Snohomish/Skykomish Valley===

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At the town of Gold Bar, be sure to stop at Wallace Falls state park. The center of his park is the 265-foot waterfall, accessed by a trail. The highway rejoins the Puget Sound at the port city of [[Everett]], which is also the end of the loop.

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At the town of Gold Bar, be sure to stop at Wallace Falls state park. The center of his park is the 265-foot waterfall, accessed by a trail. The highway rejoins the Puget Sound at the port city of [[Everett (Washington)|Everett]], which is also the end of the loop.

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==Eat==

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Zeke's Drive In

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Just outside of Goldbar, Zeke's is a solid roadside shake and burger joint. The portions are large, the burgers are pretty good and the fries are awesome. I stop there every time I drive Highway 2.

==Stay safe==

==Stay safe==

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After you pass Marblemount on the North Cascades Highway (going eastbound), there is no gas for 70 miles until Mazama.

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After you pass Marblemount on the North Cascades Highway (going eastbound), there is no gas for 70 miles until Mazama. There is also no cell phone coverage (no matter which carrier) from Ross Lake to Mazama. If you need assistance, you'll have to flag down someone with a two-way radio, or obtain a lift. Washington Pass is at an elevation of 5477 ft. (1669 m), and can have snowfall on any day of the year. Always check conditions before departure.[http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/passes/northcascades]

==Get out==

==Get out==

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*'''[[Vancouver]]''' Just about 1.5 hours from Burlington

*'''[[Vancouver]]''' Just about 1.5 hours from Burlington

*'''The [[San Juan Islands]]''' can be reached on a side trip by ferry from Anacortes on Washington State Ferry.

*'''The [[San Juan Islands]]''' can be reached on a side trip by ferry from Anacortes on Washington State Ferry.

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*'''[[Victoria]]''' This city with a British charm can be reached from Anacortes by Washington State Ferry, but due to its schedules it is impossible to do a day trip.

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*'''[[Victoria (British Columbia)|Victoria]]''' This city with a British charm can be reached from Anacortes by Washington State Ferry, but due to its schedules it is impossible to do a day trip.

{{usableitinerary}}

{{usableitinerary}}

Revision as of 03:18, 27 April 2014

The North Cascades Loop is a beautiful 440-mile driving itinerary in the North Cascades of Washington. It is a very diverse drive, encompassing pristine mountains, grand rivers, picturesque islands, and rolling river valleys.

Understand

North Cascades National Park Visitor Center

This loop passes through some of the most spectacular and diverse scenery in northwestern Washington around and in the North Cascades Mountains, crossing the mountain range itself twice and also going through bucolic Whidbey Island, beautiful Lake Chelan, and peaceful river valleys. All roads on this route are paved and well-maintained, but the North Cascades Hwy. is closed in winter, making this loop only passable during the summer months. To complete the loop, you also need to take a Washington State Ferry from Mukilteo to Whidbey Island (Clinton).

Prepare

While doing a day-trip on this loop is theroetically possible, it would not be a good idea because you would have no time at all to stop and enjoy the scenery. Two days is probably the bare minimum, but three to four days would allow you to explore this loop in much better detail. Driving is the only way to experience this loop.

Get in

By air

The closest major airports to the route are Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, which is about 45 minutes south of Everett on the loop, and Vancouver International Airport which is about one hour and fifteen minutes from Burlington (in the Skagit Valley, also along the North Cascade Loop). Bellingham airport has service to other cities in the western states, including Hawaii. Wenatchee has three flights from Seattle-Tacoma, but unless you take this connecting flight during the morning or evening commute it's unlikely to be worth it.

By car

From Seattle or Portland, take I-5 north to Everett, and begin the loop from there. From Vancouver (BC), take BC-99 and I-5 south to Burlington, which is on the route. From points on the east, including Spokane, take US-2 or I-90 and US-97 to join the loop at Wenatchee or Leavenworth.

By train

Amtrak Cascades serves Everett and Mount Vernon. Amtrak's Empire Builder serves Wenatchee, Leavenworth and Everett. The loop can be started at any of those cities.

Drive

For our purposes, the city of Everett will be our starting point and the description of the loop will go clockwise from there, even though you can start anywhere , such as Burlington, Wenatchee, etc. and go either direction. The loop has been divided into eight main sections.

Whidbey and Fidalgo Islands

Ferry Dock - Anacortes

From Everett, drive west on WA-526 to Mukilteo, and catch the ferry across Possesion sound to Whidbey Island (Clinton). Whidbey Island is one of the longest islands in the continental USA and is also one of the most scenic. As you drive north on WA-525 and WA-20, the main road running along the spine of the island, you pass through pastoral countryside and cute little towns such as Langley and Coupeville, as well as Fort Ebbey State Park. At the north end of the island is the beautiful Deception Pass State Park, which includes land on both Whidbey and Fidalgo Islands bordering Deception pass which divides those mountains. There are beaches, freshwater lakes and the majestic Deception Pass bridge towers over it all. Take the bridge across to Fidalgo Island. Anacortes, on Fidalgo Island is the ferry terminal to the San Juan Islands and a wonderful (overnight) side trip can be taken there from Anacortes.

The Skagit Valley

From Fidalgo Island, the route takes Hwy. 20 east across the Swinhomish Channel to the mainland in the Skagit Valley. This fertile valley is famous for its tulips and claims to grow more of these flowers than Holland. The colorful town of La Conner is just off the highway and can be another side trip. Hwy 20 continues to speed through Burlington (Washington) and Sedro-Wooley, the gateway to North Cascades National Park, where there is a park information center. As the Skagit Valley melts away, the imposing North Cascade mountains come into view.

The North Cascades Highway

Mount Shuksan taken from Picture Lake on Mount Baker in the North Cascades

At Concrete, a US Forest Service Spur leads to Baker Lake, just east of Mount Baker. This reservoir is popular for hiking, canoeing and angling. Back on the highway, Rte. 20 passes through Rockport State Park and the Skagit River Bald Eagle Natural Area. Continuing on the highway, stop at the Gorge Creek Falls, and then you reach the crystalline Diablo Lake and Ross Lake, both large reservoirs. After Ross Lake, the beautiful North Cascades Hwy. climbs up to Rainy pass (4855') which is a wonderful viewpoint for the area and where a paved trail leads to Rainy Lake. The road ascends even higher up to Washington Pass (5477'), the highest point on this loop. After Washington Pass, the highway snakes down the slope down to the Methow Valley.

The Methow Valley

As the North Cascades Hwy. descends into the Methow Valley, you pass through the cute western town of Winthrop which still seems to have retained the flavor of the frontier. Winthrop is also an outdorsy place: with 300 days of sunshine, all forms of recreation are here. Nearby is the Pearrygin Lake State Park. After leaving Winthrop, the route follows the Methow river first on WA-20, then switching onto WA-153 south down the lower Methow Valley toward the Columbia River.

The Columbia River

The Columbia River is the most important and grandest river of the Northwest, and the drive follows it for quite some time. At Pateros, take US 97 south and soon you will arrive at Lake Chelan, which is one of the deepest lakes in the US. It extends well into the Cascade mountains. Although the southern end of the lake is like a resort, an unusual adventure is to take a ferry or floatplane from the town of Chelan all the way up the lake to remote Stehekin in the Lake Chelan National Recreation area. From Chelan, the loop continues to go along the west side of the Columbia River on US 97-A and soon reaches Wenatchee, which is often regarded as the "Apple Capital of the World". While in Wenatchee, visit the Ohme gardens, a beautiful retreat.

The Wenatchee Valley

At Wenatchee, take US 2 west (the Stevens Pass Hwy)along the Wenatchee Valley. At Cashmere, you can stop by the Aplets and Cotlets factory where they make delectable fruit treats or visit a pioneer village. A few miles west, the town of [[Leavenworth (Washington)
Leavenworth]] reinvented itself into a charming Bavarian village and is now a top tourist destination. Just outside Leavenworth, there are endless possibilities for outdooor activities especially rafting the Wenatchee River in summer. Continuing west, the drive passes through the beautiful Tumwater canyon to Coles Corner, where a road leads to pristine Lake Wenatchee State Park.

Stevens Pass

The loop goes back into the Cascade Mountains through Stevens Pass on US-2. At 4061', it is a great viewpoint as well as as a ski resort. Descending from Stevens Pass, stop at Deception Falls on the way. The jagged Mount Index can also be seen from the highway. At Sultan, the mountains mellow out into the Skykomish Valley.

Snohomish/Skykomish Valley

At the town of Gold Bar, be sure to stop at Wallace Falls state park. The center of his park is the 265-foot waterfall, accessed by a trail. The highway rejoins the Puget Sound at the port city of Everett, which is also the end of the loop.

Eat

Zeke's Drive In
Just outside of Goldbar, Zeke's is a solid roadside shake and burger joint. The portions are large, the burgers are pretty good and the fries are awesome. I stop there every time I drive Highway 2.

Stay safe

After you pass Marblemount on the North Cascades Highway (going eastbound), there is no gas for 70 miles until Mazama. There is also no cell phone coverage (no matter which carrier) from Ross Lake to Mazama. If you need assistance, you'll have to flag down someone with a two-way radio, or obtain a lift. Washington Pass is at an elevation of 5477 ft. (1669 m), and can have snowfall on any day of the year. Always check conditions before departure.[1]